The Afghan Martyrs — Page 68
to be killed. Accordingly, on a Sunday in Shairpur, this follower of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani was stoned to death by the multitude assembled at the place of execution. Weare aware that when the news regarding the event concerning the Qadiani reaches Qadian and other big towns of India some will believe that the execution of Nematulla was contrary to Islamic injunctions and some will hold that the execution was a denial of human and citizens' rights, Some books and journals published there will identify him as the third martyr and will make endless efforts to defame Afghanistan. However, the impartial amongst them will appreciate that for fear that, a new movement may erupt in an Islamic Kingdom where Islamic order has been established, and during the currency of Shariat and some national laws, acts of political expediency cannot be overlooked or brushed aside. The regime cannot permit any movement to take root which could prove disastrous. As Mullah Nematulla was an Afghan subject the Afghan Government was fully within its rights to try him in accordance with its own laws. It should be clearly understood that for thousands of years there has been an Islamic Government in Afghanistan and like most inhabitants of the Arab world, in Syria, Cyprus, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco and other Muslim countries, we too are Muslims. From the very beginning right up to this day we firmly hold Islamic beliefs. The Qadiani belief was new and of a political character and it only came into existence to serve the interests of our opponents. Whoever holds such beliefs must be precluded from the fold of Islam. Some would argue that as Afghanistan is an independent, well established Kingd'om, it should follow the western countries where there is freedom of opinion, belief, speech, elections, publications and assembly. 68